The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-08
Mr. Carruthers Tells the same story
as the a ppeal's Interview.

.s-' . !.
To the Editor Of the Appeal;
CLARKsDALK, July z, lSs7.-In
your APPEAL Of this date you have
quite an interesting column on the
turmoil Of Coahoma county, Miss,
over the local question OF removal OF
the shiretown from Friars
Point to Clsrksdsle. without
further information your read
ers would be misled regarding
the excitement and true state OF al.
isirs, and, as you say, 1t has become q
matter OF public interest, We will give
q few contra facts, and hope you will
give them for the benefit OF your
readers. In the first place, Il Ia
not q "political turmoil"-simply a
local question and not between
Clarksdsle and Friars Point. The bill
passed by the Legislature allowing q
vote for removal OF the courthouse,
all and county Offices says to any
point on the Louisville, New Orleans
and Texas and Mobile aud North west.
ern railroads. As we said, IL 10 simply
local question uniting ali politics with.
out race, color or previous condition.
There is the best possible feeling be-
tween the white. and blacks and both
equally interested aud determined 10
carry the election for their local inter-
ests. III there are any political jobbers
or any political az TO grind whatever
We have failed 80 lar 10 see IL.
II 10 true that the State and county
elections are pending, but how a
rominee could expect 10 be benefited
In the canvass by taking sides with
nearly equally divided question Is
more than We can tell. So your inter.
viewer vas wrong In that as In
other statements. The mAu Was not
killed at Jamestown, because las you
stale) hs Was opposed 10 removal, nor
was he killed by an editor. A reliable
gentle man told Jour correspondent
this afternoon that he stood within
two feet OF the men alluded 10 at the
time OF the irageey, and that he did
not do IL; and further, that when ar.
rested his pistol had not been dis.
charged, being fully loaded.
Ii was one OF those casualties
growing cut Of the peculiar luIbulsncs
OF the times, aud who did II, or even
what faction, may never be- known.
0aly those acquainted with the man.
ner Of conducting a campaign
In Mississirioi tsl appreciate at
all the high state OF feelings 10 which
both sides are wrought by the exoi,.
ing baia a. gnings OF colored orators
backed up by clubs, their friends and
white employers and financial hackers.
We cav q colored orator In this very
campaign mount the stand
over every protest and over all
confusion and "downs" "downsl"
stand with dilsted eyes and wide dis.
tended nostrils, every nerve In his
naked, quiverins arms and cheJt
drawn 10 their uehtest tension, eI.
pressing q determination 10 be heard
equal 20 Mccullough In bis "Gladis.
tor" while his hearers were little less
excited. Who but wonders there was
only one pistol discharged. But 10
the subject.
The cause OF 90 much interest is that
at Friars Point, where the courthouse
Ia at present, 10 located on the extreme
western boundary Of the county. IL
was located there In 1850, when
that was the only Place at all
accessible In the county being
on the river. SINGS which
vast improvements have been made.
Two railroads traverse the full length
and through the center Of the county,
making points on faid roads eligible 10
all sections Of the county, while TO
get 10 court al present Ia al times
Impossible, aim Dot, Tor mud, over flows,
etc. The matte. Of Increased taxation
for the new courthouse IL a myth and
an cleo ioneeriDg do Iee. The bill says
that only 10000 shall be expended
and a. the assessed value Of the
county property 10 over 5000 900,
with credit by the sale
Of the present property would
reduce Il 10 noninally nothing,
Allow me TO say this much ioI
Olarksdale. II the majority OF the
voters want Clarksdale for the couuty
set che will not 70 half harmon "a
get Il, and II the single pistol oil
Dan Scott rsigned perfect quistude
al Surrounded Hill the Olsrksdalo
crowd was not there. At one meeting
some speaker said II would not 10 re-
moved till h irozs over, whereupon
| Ulsrksdale responded "they would rol
Il over on the ice" While the excited
feeling Ia u be regretted, ttill % So
the ssrnesiness with which the Who'll,
counIry takes hold Ia 10 he admired
Learning Of q meeting Of Fiiars Point
.rs 10 be q. certain place, thus,
for rene yal. "movas" NJ they ar,
called, come 10 from every farm an'
domicile In every conceivable mannei
from the hns caparitonsd air null
wagons 10 the inprovised dump carl